Stoughton officials troubled by medical marijuana law

Wednesday

May 22, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 22, 2013 at 10:10 PM

Mike Melanson

The legalization of medical marijuana in Massachusetts, and the prospect of a dispensary opening in Stoughton, has town officials concerned that it will send the wrong message and encourage more illicit use of the drug by children.

Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton, or OASIS, is backing two zoning articles – one to limit medical marijuana treatment centers and cultivation to part of the industrial zone, the other to adopt a temporary moratorium on treatment centers – for action by annual town meeting, which are scheduled to be acted upon tonight.

On Tuesday, OASIS officials told selectmen that marijuana today is much more potent than it was 20 years ago, and that use by Stoughton youth is on the rise.

Stephanie Patton, OASIS prevention coordinator, said children are confused about medical marijuana.

Patton said Stoughton youth, when surveyed, indicated they believe medical marijuana use will make all use of the drug more normal and more people will use it. Children also believe it would help make all marijuana use legal in four years, she said.

“As kids believe marijuana use is less harmful, youth use goes up,” she said. “Students who use marijuana are feeling more freedom about being open about their use.”

Patton said marijuana use by Stoughton youth jumped from 19 percent in 2008, when possession of marijuana was decriminalized in Massachusetts, to 28 percent in 2011.

According to a survey of Stoughton High School students conducted by OASIS in February, 37 percent indicated they had used marijuana at least once and 27 percent said they currently use the drug, Patton said.

“The more marijuana there is, the more access there is, which is what I’m really concerned about,” said Karen Hall, director of the Stoughton Youth Commission.

Selectman Stephen Anastos said he believes the nation, state and town are doing a good job educating children to the dangers of alcohol and cigarette use, but a terrible job as to marijuana use.

“That’s scary. That tells me you have a huge, huge problem to deal with,” Anastos said. “I hope you’re successful because I think this is a serious issue.”